Subaru Legacy Concept: Futuro Sports

Motoring Channel Staff - 13/January/2008

Detroit, America – Motor car manufacturers are having to slash costs wherever they can during the economic downturn - many of them cutting back their involvement in motor sport - but new product development continues.

Take Subaru's situation. It recently pulled its WRX STI out of the World Rally Championship (WRC) but has pressed on with the first preview of the next generation Liberty, which is called the Legacy in America.

Using the glitz and glamour of the Detroit Motor Show, Subaru set the stage on fire with its Legacy Concept, which hints at what's to come in the form of the next generation Liberty or Legacy.

While there were a number of high profile concept cars at the Detroit Motor Show, and more hybrid electric motors than we've ever seen at an American event, Subaru's petrol-power concept stood tall.

Powered by a 3.6-litre 6-cylinder boxer engine, the new all-wheel drive concept shows off a taller, wider, longer look thanks to a stretched wheelbase, which cements rumours that the new Liberty/Legacy will be a larger vehicle. 

The concept vehicle develops 192kW (258hp) and 350Nm of torque from its 6-cylinder horizontally opposed engine, but Subaru is also believed to be considering a high performance version of this engine outputting close to 230kW.

Subaru says that the new vehicle's design theme is 'presence' which is "represented by the aggressive front facia and solid yet expressive body". 

The grille is much bigger and more imposing than in past Subaru's - perhaps a sign of things to come.

The wheels arches that frame the large show-car alloy wheels give the vehicle a strong grounding but from some angles appear to be overdone, making it look as though it was inspired by the VW Beetle.

"Sharp design lines carve out a substantial mass as they flow from the hood, across the roof to the trunk, while the sharp body lines project a sense of strength," reads the Subaru media release.

It also outlines "Wedge-shaped Side Rear Vision Cameras" that create "a sense of flow from the momentum of the A-pillar lines".

It's not your traditional Subaru, but on that point the most recent Impreza hatch wasn't conformist either.

The eyes of a car, or the headlights, are usually the most important design element of a car because they are what the eye is drawn to first. 

Subaru has really gone down the 'prototype' path with the Legacy Concept which features an bevy of LED lamps arraying horizontally, vertically, and even spherically.

As well as it's stunning new design, the Subaru Legacy Concept marks the 20th anniversary of the Subaru Liberty or Legacy, adding even more meaning to the show car.

First introduced to Japanese drivers in 1989, Subaru's "luxury" model has since sold more than 3.6 million models, making it more popular than the Impreza range.

The interior looks thoroughly futuristic, featuring a number of touch screens that make up the entirety of the centre console.

There are no switches or dials on the centre console - just the mother-of-all infotainment touch screens.

But the high resolution LCD screen-a-thon doesn't stop there.

In-car entertainment is delivered through a pair of screens in the rear of the front seat headrests.

Subaru has also integrated a range of cameras across the cars body, negating the need for mirrors.

"The high-tech look blends with comfort through four separate seating areas, a high roofline and generous legroom for all passengers" reads the Subaru statement.

The steering wheel and shift lever have also been futurised, not to mention the instrument displays, all of which could make their way into the next generation Legacy or Liberty models.

Specifications:

 Engine: 3.6-litre 6-cylinder Horizontally-Opposed engine
 Tire size: 225/45 R19
Occupancy: 4 persons

Related Links:
- Subaru WRX STI 20th Anniversary (2009)
- Subaru Impreza WRX (2009)
- Subaru Impreza Sedan (2009)
- Subaru Forester Diesel (2009)
- Subaru Forester (Road Test)
- Subaru Impreza WRX STI (Road Test)
- Subaru Exiga (2008)
- Subaru Impreza WRX (Road Test)
- Subaru Liberty Diesel (2008)
- Subaru Impreza WRX STI (2008)
- Subaru Impreza Hatch (2008)
- Subaru Forester XT (Road Test)
- Subaru Tribeca (2008)
- Subaru Impreza World Rally Car (2008)
- Subaru Liberty GT Spec.B - Tuned by STI (Road Test)
- Subaru WRX - Tuned by STI (2007)
- Subaru Liberty Blitzen (2006)